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Fuck me. Did he hear my thoughts? Davian mentioned that the voices in his head were getting to him. Is it possible that more than Kellan will be able to hear me? I never thought to ask him how wolves communicate. Well, lykoswulves communicate.
“I’m sorry things had to be this way, but the Crystalrock pack and the Twilight Cove pack already have too much power. They don’t need you like we do.” Ravi takes a few steps away, returning to the tree that I climbed. He gets close, pressing his nose to the bark. “Your scent is all over. It ends here. Come on, Eliana. You don’t want to make me climb into the trees, do you? You might get hurt when I carry you down.”
I don’t respond.
The leaves rustle below, and I stretch my neck and catch sight of Ravi swinging his leg over the low branch. No. He knows I’m here. He’s going to try to snatch me from my hiding place.
I fist my hand, clutching one of the branches. I stretch it enough that it should ricochet and snap toward him if he gets near me, hopefully giving me a chance to fight him off. If I fall from this height, I know I’m going to break something. But he might also break something too. It’ll be either him going down or the two of us together. Regardless, he’s insane to think I’m going to accept this and make it easy.
“Kellan?” I think his name as desperation grabs hold of me. Where is he? I did what he asked. I hid. But it wasn’t good enough. Now...
“Eliana, I can hear you breathing. You sound as if you’re about to hyperventilate. Just take a deep breath. Like I said, I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to take you somewhere safe. I’ll take care of you, but you have to let me. My name is Ravi. I’m the betaborne to Sean of the Sunset Pointe pack.” Ravi lowers his voice, the words almost melodious as they caress my ears.
It takes everything in me not to yell at him for lying. For biting me in the first place. Had I not known what the hell was going on, I would’ve been so scared. Of course, I’m still terrified. I need to get away. I need to figure out how to jump from this tree without breaking my neck or something. I need to run. I know I’m supposed to stay away from the shore, but it might be the only way I’ll be able to find the others. The thought of getting taken and never seeing them again ignites panic in my heart.
“Eliana. It doesn’t have to be this way. If you just come out, we can act as civilized people. I won’t have to drag you away and treat you like an unruly she-wolf. You can have some dignity. Just show yourself, don’t try to fight, and we’ll be okay. How does that sound?” Ravi continues to talk as if it’s going to make a difference. He speaks to me, knowing that I listen even if I don’t talk back.
It takes everything in me not to respond. I know he’s trying to get me to say something so he can pinpoint my exact spot.
“You must be in pain. Hungry and cold. I’m used to it. I can stay here all night. It’s your choice, Eliana.” More branches snap and crack. Shit.
I finally break. “It’s not my choice. It hasn’t been my choice since the moment I fucking got here.”
A hot hand grabs the back of my arm, squeezing tightly.
I can’t do anything as Ravi yanks me from my spot.
I scream as I fall.
Chapter seventeen
Eliana
Betaborne
RAVICATCHESMEbymy wrist, yanking me back to him. I know that I should thrash and fight, but my fear of falling overwhelms me and the only thing I can do is cling onto him.
He releases a soft moan in my ear, and I realize that he’s butt-ass naked, and I can feel his body awaken as I unintentionally grind against him. As if things couldn’t get any worse.
“That’s a good girl. Don’t worry. I won’t let you fall. You can hold onto me as tightly as you’d like. I don’t mind.” Ravi presses his palm to the small of my back while grabbing onto the branch with his other hand, holding the two of us with just the strength of his one arm. I stare at his corded muscles, admiring his capability.
He lets go, and the world rushes around me. I can’t stop the scream that escapes my mouth. I expect for him to drop me or something—maybe stumble and land on top of me—but he lands on his feet with a thump, bending his knees and steadying himself in a crouch.
As if the sudden stopping of the world kicks me in to action, I swing my arm and punch him in the face. He mistakenly let his guard down, thinking that I was just going to suddenly comply. Now I have the chance to escape.
I will escape.
I jab my fist into his throat next, and then knee him in the balls, using the force to push me away from him. I stumble to my feet and command my body to move, my fight or flight instincts battling for control over my actions. I want to make him suffer, but I also want as much space as I can get between us. I limp for a couple steps until I manage to shove the pain away and pick up my pace. My body numbs and my skin cools but sweat prickles along my hairline and drips down my back. This is too much. If I stop, I might pass out. The only thing keeping me going is my need to survive and to get away.
“Kellan!” I yell, sending my voice through the forest. I don’t try to be quiet anymore. Being quiet will slow me down. I need to hustle my ass before Ravi snatches me with his jowls again. I know that he’ll turn into a wolf to chase me.
Howls sound through the forest, a couple of them bouncing off the trees. I’m being surrounded. I know it. The other guys probably listen to Ravi’s calls, and they’ll trap me within their vicious circle.
“Eliana, don’t run. It’s taking everything in me not to chase you and pin you down. Be my good girl, and I’ll make you my princess. You’re only tormenting my deep-seated instincts as a lykoswulf now with your evasion. You don’t want to do that. It doesn’t help that some of my packmates are a bit pissed off at you right now. They’ll expect you to be put in your place.” Ravi speaks the words, and I realize they echo through my mind.
Oh no. Oh fucking no. This can’t be happening. He can’t have a mental link to me too. It was hard enough with Kellan.
Where is he anyway?
